Portable register



May 1, 1934;

M. C. STERN El AL PORTABLE REGISTER Filed July 30, 1932 7 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS MILTON c. STERN,

BY FRANK E. PFEIFFER,

ATTORN EYS 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 PORTABLE REGI STER 3 MILTON C.STERN, BY FRANK E. PFEIFFER, JoMfih-M ATTORNEYS P WU EIJII H t S m m y m T Qow m V m w i J. a 6 a M. c. STERN ET AL Fiied July so, 1932 May 1, 1934.

May 1, 1934. M. c. STERN ET AL PORTABLE REGISTER Filed July so, 1932 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 FRANK E. PFEIFFER,

ATTORNEYS N m T 3 6 m T M M May 1, 1934. M. c. STERN ET AL I PORTABLE REGISTER Filed July 30, 932 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 MILTON L a FRANK E-PFEIFFER,

INVENTORS ATTORNEYS 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 May 1, 1934. M. c. STERN El AL PORTABLE REGISTER Filed July so, 1932 ATTORNEYS Patented May 11, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PORTABLE REGISTER Application July 30, 1932, Serial No. 626,507

19 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in portable registers adapted to be used for recording transactions in stores, mills, stations, factories, yards, ofices, warehouses and so forth.

It has for its object to provide, in a single casing, a container for sheets of paper to be used with means for feeding the sheets of paper, and also a separate receptacle for receiving copy sheets detached from the main sheets.

It is also an object of this invention to provide, in connection with a portable autographic register, stop means to engage sheetsof paper along folds or creases therein at the end of each feeding movement, and yielding means projecting into holes in the sheets of paper and cooperating with the stop means to hold the sheet of paper tight for writing purposes.

It is also an object of this invention to provide, in connection with the sheet feeding means,

spacers narrower at the center to hold the separate sheets in slightly spaced relationship with each other to accommodate the carbon sheets without impeding the movement of the paper sheets.

Another object of this invention is to provide, in connection with the casing of an autographic register, receptacles adapted to receive the slightly folded record sheets and retain them for future use.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the portable register showing the top strip of paper in position to be written upon.

Figure 2 is a top plan view with the cover turned back and broken away.

Figure 3 is a vertical, longitudinal section through the casing, showing the internal mechanism.

Figure 4 is an enlarged longitudinal, vertical section through the cover, the table and showing the balls for aligning the sheets of paper.

Figure 5 is a transverse section on the line 5-5 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a, section through one end of the register casing, with the table tilted and showing the bottom of the table.

Figure 8 is a front elevation of the register.

Figure 9 is a front elevation of the register casing with a modified form of sheet-receiving receptacle.

Figure 10 is a section on the line 1010 of Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a top plan view of one end of the receptacle shown in Figure 9.

Figure 12 is a side elevation of the register and a vertical longitudinal section through a form of receptacle adapted to be attached to one side of the register casing.

Figure 13 is a section on the line 13-43 of Figure 12.

Figure 14 shows one of the copy sheets folded for insertion through a slit into one of the receptacles.

Figure 15 is an enlarged section on the line 1515 of Figure 2.

Figure 16 is a front elevation of the register. showing a modified form of receptacle on the side of the casing.

Figure 17 isa section on the line 17-17 of Figure 1.

Figure 18 is a'section on the line 18-18 of Figure 1.

Figure 19 shows a sheet of paper scored at three points for folding and storing purposes.

Figure 20 shows a sheet of paper scored throughout its length for folding and storing purposes.

The operating parts of the present autographic register are located within a comparatively small rectangular casing, which has sides 1, front and rear walls 2 and a bottom 3, all integral and formed of sheet metal. The bottom is provided with a plurality of suitable supports 4.

In the front wall adjacent the bottom is an opening 5, which extends from one side to the other, and is closed by means of a closure 6 attached to the bottom by means of a hinge '7. In the upper edge of this closure, about midway between the ends, is an arouate notch 6a, which is adapted to receive a finger or thumb of the operator for opening the closure or for inserting sheets of paper through the opening.

The closure when in closed position, as shown in Figure 3, is slightly curved inwardly at its upper edge to provide a slit 8, through which a sheet of paper may be inserted for storage purposes. The sheets of paper inserted through the slit, enter into the storage chamber 9 formed of sheet metal and suitably attached to the bottom of the main casing and forming a support for the stack of supply sheets. Guards 9a are provided for holding the supply sheets in the storage chamber.

Pivotally attached at the rear end to the sides of the casing is a cover 10, which extends forwardly and is supported by the sides of the casing. The points where this cover is pivoted to the sides of the casing are indicated by the numeral 11. This cover has the usual opening 12 for writing purposes. Beneath the cover and pivoted to the sides of the casing at 14 is a writing table 13, which is supported by means of the casing beneath the cover when the two are in operating position. This table has adjacent its rear end a slot 15, which extends substantially across the table for receiving a plurality of sheets of paper to be fed on top of the table for writing purposes.

For the purpose of stopping the sheets of paper there is attached to the under side of the table a transversely arranged plate 16, which has therein, adjacent each end, a transverse slot 17 through each of which extends a guide pin 18, attached at its upper end to the table in any suitable manner. In the present instance these guides or guide pins are threaded into suitable holes provided in the table.

On each end of the transverse plate 16 and extending beyond one edge thereof, is a flange 19, which carries a pair of rollers 20, one end of each roller being pivoted in a flange. I Extending forwardly from the central part of the transversely disposed plate 16 is a longitudinally extending plate 21, suitably attached at one end'totheplate' form a thumb piece 25.

In this longitudinally extending plate is a slot 22, which has fitting therein a guide pin 23, suitably attached to the table. This guide pin cooperates with the guides 18 in supporting and guiding transverse plate. A spring 24 is attached at one end to the longitudinal plate, while its other end is attached to: one end of the guide pin 23. This spring tends to hold the guide plate in a forward or stopping position so that the strips of paper will be stopped when the creases therein reach the table.

In the upper edge of the front wall is an arcuate notch 26 adapted to receive thesimilarly shaped thumb piece 25. This notch provides space for receiving the thumb or finger of the operator by which the stopping plate may be moved backwardly against the action of the spring 24 when the strips are to be moved forward. The spring tends to normally hold this thumb piece in the notch 26 in the manner shown in Figure 3.

The action of the rollers 20 is as follows: When the rollers are in their forward position they guide the sheets into locking position, with the creases 36 disposed on the edge of the table, which is beveled at 13a. When in unlocking position one of the rollers engages the forward sides of the sheets to move them backwardly to unlock the creases 36 from the edge 13a. When this takes place the angular forward end 25 is pushed backwardly to uncover a portion of the ends of the sheets on the bottom thereof so that the thumb and forefinger of the operator may grasp the sheets, as at 13b, to pull them out of the machine.

Adjacent the front end of the table is a pair of transversely arranged round holes 2'7, each adapted to receive the upper half of a ball 28, supported therein by means of a spring 29. The table, the cover, the balls and the spring are shown very much enlarged in Figure 4. The spring as shown in this figure is very heavy, due to the enlargement of the figure, while in fact it is very light, and is sufficiently l ght to yield to the pressure of the paper on one side of each ball.

The part of the cover immediately above each ball is pressed upwardly to form a pocket 30 to receive the upper surface of each ball, or it may be cut away for the same purpose. The sheets of paper as they are fed forwardly pass between the 16 and having its other end bent downwardly to balls and the under surface of a pressure plate 30a supported loosely but not detachably on the top of the front end of the table by studs 30b. This plate has holes 30c for the balls. The balls, owing to the pressure of the paper thereon, will force the springs down sufiiciently for the paper to pass between the balls and the cover. The upper surface of the cover above each pocket is bulged, as indicated by the numeral 31.

Each strip of paper is provided with holes to receive the balls. The file punch holes are preferably used. These balls fitting in the holes cooperate with the transverse stop plate and the rollers thereon engaging the paper and pulling it against the table for holding the various superimposed sheets of paper tight.

Adjacent the front end of the casing the table is provided with slots 32, one on each side, while the cover is providedwith similar slots 33. These slots are adapted to receive hooks 34, suitably pivoted to the sides of the casing and adapted to engage the upper surface of the cover to hold the cover and the table in assembled writing position on top of the casing. Thesenhooks are held in engagement withthe upper surface of the cover by means of. springs 34a,

The sheets of paper. are indicated by the numeral 35. In the present instance three of these sheets are shown in superimposed position, with transverse creases 36 in alignment with each other. By means of these transverse creases the strip of paper is divided into a plurality of short tickets. Near the forward end of each ticket is a pair'of holes 36a adapted to receive the balls 28 for holding purposes.

For protecting the edges of the sheets of carbon paper as the strips of paper are fed longitudinally of the cover and table, the front end of the table has thereon one or more transverse protector strips 37, each of which has in each end a notch 38 adapted to receive a holding pin or stud 39, located in the table adjacent one edge thereof. As shown in Figure-15,,two of these spacer strips are used, one under the rear edge of each carbon. sheet. There is one less strip than sheets of paper, but as many as there are sheets of carbon paper.

It will be noted that each thin metal protector strip is narrower at the center than at its ends. This is for the purpose of preventing the paper sheets from having excessive drag at their centers, which would tend to wrinkle them and pull them out of alignment.

Suitably located on one side of the casing is a pair of brackets 40 adapted to support a shaft 41, with a roll of carbon paper 42 thereon. In the front end of the cover 10, immediately above the notch 26, is an arcuate notch 43 which enables the operator to grip the ends of the strips of paper for pulling them forward for feeding purposes. The sheets, after they are torn off, may be variously disposed of.

,For receiving at least one of the record sheets the receptacle 9 is provided. These detached sheets are indicated by the numeral 44, and for preserving one or more of these record sheets they are inserted through the slit 8 into the receptacle or storage chamber 9. In order to remove these sheets the closure 6 is pulled down by inserting the finger through the notch in the upper edge thereof. This closure may be pulled down for inserting a plurality of sheets in the receptacle at one time.

:Instead of using the receptacle or storage chamber 9 an additional compartment or storage chamber may be provided either on one side or one end of the casing. As shown in Figure 9, there is provided at the front end of the casing a separate receptacle 45. This receptacle is supported beneath the casing by means of a bracket 46, and has extending longitudinally through one wall thereof, a slot 4'7 to receive partly folded or creased sheets of paper after they have been torn oif.

One end of this receptacle is open and closed by means of a closure 49 supported by means of a hinge 50. There is also provided, in connection with the hinge 50, a spring 51 for maintaining the closure in a closed position. The folded or partly folded sheet of paper is indicated by the numeral 48. In Figures 12 and 13 the receptacle is shown attached to one side of the casing with the slotted side up, but in other respects it is supported and shaped in the same manner as the receptacle shown in Figure 9.

The partly creased copy sheet is shown in Figure 14, and is adapted to be forced through the slot 47 into the triangularly shaped receptacle. This sheet is scored or partly scored, as at 3541,, so that it may be easily folded for insertion into the receptacle through the slot 4'7, with the creased edge entering first so that after the sheet has been forced into the receptacle it opens up and assumes the shape of the upper and lower walls of the receptacle. ,When it is desired to remove these copy sheets the closure 49 is opened so they may be withdrawn.

In Figures 14, 19 and 20 detached sheets of paper are shown. In the sheet shown in Figure 14 there is a score line extending from one end of the sheet a short distance down the center thereof, to aid in folding the sheet for storage purposes. In Figure 19 the sheet is shown as having three scored places at diiferent points along the longitudinal center of the sheet. In Figure 20 the sheet is scored from one end to the other through the longitudinal center thereof.

In Figure 16 the register is shown as having attached to one side thereof a modified form of storage receptacle 52. In this form the receptacle is U-shaped with one end open, with the bottom part of the receptacle cut away, as indi cated-by the numeral 53, to form a finger slot. For the purpose of holding the sheets of paper stored within the receptacle there is provided on one side thereof, a spring, which has extending across the open end of the receptacle a projection 54. When it is desired to remove the strips of paper from the receptacle the projection 54 is bent away so that the opening is entirely clear.

It will be understood that it is desired to comprehend within this invention such modifications as come within the scope of the claims and the invention.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is:

1. In an autographic register, a table member having at one end a transverse slot through which superimposed strips of paper may be fed and at the other end a hole,I a ball projecting from beneath the table through the hole, means cooperating with the ball to grip the strips of paper as they are fed over the table, and means cooperating with the balls to hold the strips of paper fiat on the table.

2. In an autographic register for use in connection with a plurality of superimposed strips of paper having transverse aligned creases dividing the strips into sections and holes at one end of each section, a table over which the strips are fed, means to force the strips at adjacent-creases against the table, and spring-pressed balls on the table to engage the strips in the holes of one section of the strips.

3. In an autographic register for use in connection with a plurality of superimposed strips of paper having transverse aligned creases dividing the strips into sections and holes at one end of each section, a table having at one end holes over which the strips are fed, means at the other end of the table cooperating with the table to stop the strips along one set of creases, and spring supported balls in the holes of the table to engage the strips of paper in the holes thereof.

4. In an autographic register, a casing, a receptacle in the casing, one wall of said casing having an opening leading into the receptacle, and a closure for said opening, said closure forming with the wall of the casing a slot through which sheets of paper may pass into the receptacle.

5. In an autographic register, a casing, a receptacle in the casing, one wall of said casing having an opening leading into the receptacle, and a closure for said opening, said closure having one edge adjacent the wall curved in to form a slot through which sheets of paper can pass into the receptacle.

6. In an autographic register, a casing, a receptacle in the casing, one wall of said casing having an opening leading into the receptacle, and a closure for said opening pivoted to the casing at one side of the opening, said closure having one edge adjacent the wall curved in to form a slot through which sheets of paper can pass into the receptacle.

7. In an autographic register, a casing, a receptacle in the casing, one wall of said casing having an opening leading into the receptacle, and a closure for said opening pivoted at one edge to the casing at one side of the opening, said closure having another edge adjacent the wall curved in to form a slot through which sheets of paper can pass into the receptacle.

8. In an autographic register, a casing forming a container for folded superimposed strips of pa per, a table member pivoted to one end of the easing, means to guide said strips over the table, and a plurality of separator members on the table between the strips, said separator members being narrower at their centers than at their ends.

9. In an autographic register, a table, means to guide superimposed stripsof paper over the table, a pin on the table at each edge of the strips, and a separator member between each adjacent strip of paper, said separator member having at each end a notch to receive a pin and gradually tapering from each end to the center.

10. In an autographic register, a casing having at one end a finger notch, a table resting on the casing and having a slot therein, a stop plate supported beneath the table for longitudinal movement, a plate attached at one end to the stop plate and having its other end bent and shaped to fit in the notch, a pair of rollers on the stop plate adapted to engage a plurality of strips of paper fed from the casing along the top of the table, and means tending to hold the plates and rollers in their forward positions with the bent end in the notch.

11. In an autographic register, a casing having at one end a finger notch, a table resting on the' casing and having a slot therein, a stop plate supported beneath the table for longitudinal movement, a plate attached at one end to the stop plate and having its other end bent and shaped to fit in the notch, a pair of rollers on the stop plate adapted to engage a plurality of strips of paper fed from the casing along the top of the table, means tending to hold the plates and rollers in their forward positions with the bent end in the notch, and means cooperating with the table to yieldingly grip the strip of paper, whereby the rollers in cooperation with the table will hold the strips tight.

12. In an autographic register, a table having at one end a slot and at the other end holes, a

ball in each hole projecting above the table, spring means for supporting the balls, and slidable means for pulling superimposed strips of paper passing through said slot against the table at one side of the slot to stop and hold the strips, said strips having holes therein to receive the balls.

13. In an autographic register, a table having at one end a slot and at the other end holes, a ball in each hole projecting above the table, a single leaf spring having depressions therein to seat the balls and support them in the holes, and a cover on the table having pockets therein to receive the upper surfaces of the balls, said balls and cover being adapted to yieldingly clamp a strip of paper fed through the slot and between the table and the cover.

14. In an autographic register, a table having at one end a slot and at the other end holes, a ball in each hole projecting above the table, a single leaf spring having depressions therein to seat the balls and support them in the holes, a cover on the table having pockets therein to receive the upper surfaces of the balls, said balls and cover being adapted to yieldingly clamp a strip of paper fed through the slot and between the table and the cover, and means cooperating with the table, the balls and the cover to stop the strips of paper and hold them tight.

15. In combination in an autographic register, a casing having a cutaway portion in the top and front thereof, a writing table having a slot therein, a cover having a forward tear-01f edge, a movable closure member adjacent said tear-off edge adapted to close the cut-away portion in the top and front of the casing, a pair of rollers disposed beneath the writing table adjacent the slot therein at the rear edge thereof connected to said movable closure member for guiding a plurality of superimposed transversely bent sheets adapted to pass between said rollers and to stop the sheets by their creases engaging on the edge of the table adjacent the slot and to pass over said table and said movable closure member, whereby the movement of the closure member to permit of the grasping of the front edge of the sheet will move the rear portion of the sheet to unlock the crease therein from the aligning edge of the writing table.

16 In an autographic register having a plurality of superimposed transversely bent paper sheets interleaved with carbon sheets, a writing table over which said sheets are moved and supported and having a stopping edge adjacent the rear end thereof for engaging the creases in said sheets, sheet-engaging means reciprocably mounted below said table at the rear end thereof adapted to alternately engage the front and rear surfaces of said sheets adjacent the creases therein engaging the rear edge of the writing table for alternately locking and unlocking the creases in the sheets on said aligning edge, and means for reciprocating said locking and unlocking means extending to the front of said table and forming a part of the casing.

17. In an autographic register having a plur-- ality of superimposed transversely bent paper sheets interleaved with carbon sheets, a writing table over which said sheets are moved and supported and having a stopping edge adjacent the rear end thereof for engaging the creases in said sheets, sheet-engaging means reciprocably mounted below said table at the rear end thereof adapted to alternately engage the front and rear surfaces of said sheets adjacent the creases therein engaging the rear edge of the writing table for alternately locking and unlocking the creases in the sheets on said aligning edge, and means for reciprocating said locking and unlocking means extending to the front of said table and forming a part of the casing, said means comprising an angular closure having an angular cutaway space in the front of the casing to permit of the grasp ing of the sheets at their front ends while their rear ends are unlocked from stopping engagement with the writing table on the creases thereof.

18. A new article of manufacture for use as a paper spacer comprising a flexible thin metal strip having supporting means at its ends and being progressively narrower at the center than at the extreme outer ends.

19. In an autographic register, a table having at one end a slot and at the other end holes, a ball in each hole projecting above the table, a spring to support the balls in the holes, a guide and holding plate loosely mounted on the table over the balls, said plate having holes to receive the balls, said balls being adapted to fit in holes in sheets of paper fed over the table beneath the plate, and means to guide and stop the sheets at the other end of the table.

- MILTON C. STERN.

FRANK E. PFEIFFER. 

